IPO COMMENTS ON COUNTRIES WITH INADEQUATE IP PROTECTION
Yesterday IPO President DANIEL STAUDT submitted comments on behalf of IPO for the U.S. Trade Representative’s annual Special 301 Review. IPO’s 38-page letter highlighted broad-based concerns and commented on numerous inadequate IP policies in specific countries and in international fora. The purpose of the Special 301 Review is to obtain information about countries that deny adequate and effective protection of IP rights or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. entities that rely on IP protection. Around April 30, 2021, USTR will release the 2021 Special 301 Report, as required by the “Special 301” provisions of the Trade Act of 1974. Thanks to the multitude of IPO committees and members who provided input for the comments. A special thanks to those who spearheaded this project: International Patent Law and Trade Committee Co-Chairs DEAN HARTS (3M Innovative Properties Co.) and SHARON REICHE (Pfizer Inc.), as well as Immediate Past Committee Co-Chair STEVE BAUER.
HOT TOPICS IN IP NOW AVAILABLE
IPO Education Foundation is partnering with The Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property to teach about IP fundamentals and key IP issues being debated today. “Hot Topics in IP” will be released throughout the year, with the goal of making issues easily accessible and understandable to the public, specifically underrepresented communities. The first article, “Understanding the Balance of Traditional IP Rights and Open Access Initiatives,” was edited by IPOEF President Manny Schecter (IBM Corp.) and is available online at MichelsonIP.com.